The absence of a new Auditor-General in Anambra State is significantly impacting the lives of recently retired civil servants, according to investigations by Media Talk Africa.
The Anambra State House of Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mr. Daniel Okeke as the Auditor-General on November 4, 2022. However, Okeke retired from service in July this year, leaving the position vacant.
Four months after Okeke’s retirement, Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is yet to appoint a new Auditor-General. This delay has left the fate of civil servants who retired during this period uncertain.
Retirees are typically processed for entitlements, allowing them to begin drawing their pension immediately upon retirement, while waiting for the computation of their gratuity. However, the absence of an Auditor-General means that retirees are unable to access their entitlements promptly.
Visits to the office of the Auditor-General revealed a backlog of files awaiting the Auditor-General’s signature for retirees to initiate pension withdrawals. This delay has left many retirees in limbo, eagerly awaiting the appointment of a new Auditor-General.
In a workshop organized before his retirement, Okeke emphasized the pivotal role of audit work in building public trust and confidence in government financial transactions, highlighting the significance of the office he vacated.
Despite the urgency of the situation, there are no indications of Governor Soludo’s imminent appointment of a new Auditor-General.
When approached for comment, the Head of Service, Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, was unavailable for feedback on the government’s plan to assist newly retired civil servants in accessing their pensions during this transition period.
Civil society activist, Mr. Chris Azor, acknowledged the presence of an individual in an acting capacity at the Auditor-General’s office. However, the delay in appointing a permanent replacement continues to impact the welfare of new retirees.
As the governor delays in taking action, the hardship faced by new retirees is compounded by the challenging economic climate in the country.
